Improvement in buckles



GEORGE F. STEPHENS.

Emprovement in Buckies.

Patented June 6,1871.

R B D) Wtnmw:

GEORGE F. STEPHENS, OF PORTLAND, OREGON, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND JOHN NATION, OF SAME PLACE.

lMPRQVEMENT IN BUCKLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 115,654, dated J one 6, 1871.

To all whom it may canoe-m:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. STEPHENS, of Portland, in the county of Multnomah and State of Oregon, have invented anew and Improved Buckle 5 and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in harness and other buckles; and it consists in a broad flat metal case, through which the strap to be secured passes between two plates converging toward each other, and a wedgeshaped block between the said two converging plates, which is drawn, by the friction of the strap or trace, in the direction to wedge the strap and hold ittighter the harder the strain on the strap is.

Figure 1 is a plan view of my improvedbuckle, and Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondingparts.

A and 13 represent two broad plates, which are connected at both ends bythe wedgeshapedplates or slides C---shown dotted in Fig. l-and by the flange E attached to A, and projecting inwardly toward B at the side,

where the said two plates are the greatest distance apart, the said bar extending from one to the other of the plates 0, and contracting the space between said plates A B to about the thickness, or a little more, than that of the trace F or strap to be buckled. At the side opposite the flange E the said two platesAB are about as wide apart as the space between the edge of E and plate B, or a trifle more. The plate A has a long slot, Gr,

through it centrally, and parallel with the direction of the strap to be secured. H is a wedge'shaped clamping-block introduced between the strap and plate A,to be forced along the contracted space between the strap and plate A, for bending and holding it by friction, to save weakening it by punching holes in it for the tongue of the ordinary buckle.

This block is introduced between the plates before the strap is inserted, and cannot escape afterward. It has a stud, I, projecting through the slot, to be used for starting it to release the strap, when wedged in very tight, by pounding on it with a light instrument.

The angle formed by the sides of the wedge, 7

also that formed by the platesA B, may be more or less acute, according to the nature of the case; butlprefer to make them such that they will secure the strap readily, and will admit of being readily detached.

v The leather traces OOlIH'IlOIllYllflVG two more plies of leather in the part perforated for the tongue of the ordinary buckle than in the other part, to compensate for the amount it is weakened by the perforations, which are not required when these improved buckles are used.

The buckles may have the ordinary loops K for the permanent attachment of other straps.

The said improved buckles are alike applicable for suspenders and other wearing appar el, as well as for harness purposes.

Having thus describedmy invention, 1 claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent- A case, formed of slotted top plate A, upwardly-converging bottom plate B, side plates G O, and flange E, combined with a wedge, H, having stud I, all constructed as and for the purpose specified.

The above specification of my invention signed by me this 29th day of March, 1871. GEORGE 13. STEPHENS.

Witnesses:

Gno. W. MABEE, ALEX. F. Roasters 

